The Rehberger Weg is a 5km walking trail that crosses the Swiss-German border, linking the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen with the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein. What makes it special? Twenty-four brightly coloured art installations by German artist Tobias Rehberger mark the route through fields, vineyards and residential streets.
I walked it on a warm August afternoon and found it an easy, engaging way to spend a couple of hours outside Basel.
Quick Facts
- Distance: 3 miles one way
- Time: 1.5-2 hours at a relaxed pace
- Difficulty: Easy (some gentle hills through vineyards)
- Cost: Free
- Best for: Art lovers, walkers, families
What is the 24 Stops Rehberger-Weg?
This art trail connects two countries, two communities and two cultural institutions.
The 24 installations are waymarkers and also functional pieces. There’s a brass bell to ring at the start, vibrantly painted rubbish bins, a drinking fountain and oversized cuckoo clocks.
The installations are bold, colourful, and intentionally contrast with the natural surroundings. Not all were to my taste (many are painted wooden blocks in primary colours), but they create a memorable framework for exploring the countryside between Basel and Weil am Rhein.
Getting to the Starting Point
The walk starts at Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, a Basel suburb.
From Bahnhof Basel SBB (Basel’s main Swiss station):
- Take tram 2 towards Eglisee to Basel, Badischer Bahnhof
- Change to tram 6 towards Riehen Grenze
- Alight at Fondation Beyeler stop
Journey time: 20-25 minutes
Top tip: If you are feeling hungry, I recommend alighting one stop early at Riehen Dorf and having lunch, washed down with a glass of the excellent local Chardonnay at Restaurant Landgasthof. From here, it’s a five-minute walk to Fondation Beyeler.
Walking the Rehberger-Weg
Pick up a free route map from Basel’s tourist information office at Bahnhof SBB, or download the Rehberger Weg map before you go. The route is well-marked, but the map helps you spot all 24 installations.
What to Bring:
- Your phone for photos
- Water (no refill points along the route)
- Sun protection (limited shade)
- Comfortable walking shoes
Fondation Beyeler, Riehen
The Fondation Beyeler houses modern and contemporary art in a Renzo Piano-designed building set within an English park. Water lily ponds and mature trees surround the museum, combining art with nature for a sensory experience.
If you have time, it’s worth visiting, but note that it requires a separate entry ticket.
The walk itself
From behind the museum, the path leads through open countryside. When I visited in late summer, fields of corn stood ten feet high, nearly ready for harvest.
You’ll cross the River Wiese and reach an unmanned border post between Switzerland and Germany – just walk straight through. The route then passes through quiet residential streets in Weil am Rhein before climbing gently uphill.
The climb through the vineyards is the steepest section, but it’s short and manageable. These Tüllinger Berg vineyards grow different grape varieties as part of Weil’s wine route. In September, the vines are heavy with fruit.
Eventually, you descend towards the Vitra Campus, which you’ll see in the distance.
Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein
The Vitra Campus, the endpoint of the Rehberger-Weg, is best known for two things: its ensemble of contemporary architecture and furniture design, most notably Eames chairs. Like Fondation Beyeler, it requires a separate ticket to enter the museums.
Getting Back to Basel
From the Vitra Campus, it’s a 25-minute walk to Weil am Rhein station. Alternatively, take bus 55.
From Weil am Rhein station, tram 8 runs directly to Basel.
Is the Rehberger Weg Worth It?
If you’re spending time in Basel and want an easy half-day activity that combines walking with something a bit different, yes. The art installations add playfulness to what would otherwise be a pleasant but unremarkable countryside walk.
The trail works well as a way to see two interesting art institutions and to cross an international border on foot. Just don’t expect profound art; it’s more about the experience than individual masterpieces.
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About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.